Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend [Hardcover]

Andy Stanley (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 25, 2012

With surprising candor and transparency pastor Andy Stanley explains how one of America's largest churches began with a high-profile divorce and a church split. But that's just the beginning... Deep and Wide provides church leaders with an in-depth look into North Point Community Church and its strategy for creating churches unchurched people absolutely love to attend. Andy writes, 'Our goal is to create weekend experiences so compelling and helpful that even the most skeptical individuals in our community would walk away with every intention of returning the following week...with a friend!' Later he says, 'I want people to fall in love with the Author of Scripture. And while we can't make anyone fall in love, we can certainly arrange a date.' For the first time, Andy explains his strategy for preaching and programming to 'dual audiences': mature believers and cynical unbelievers. He argues that preaching to dual audiences doesn't require communicators to 'dumb down' the content. According to Stanley, it's all in the approach. You'll be introduced to North Point's spiritual formation model: The Five Faith Catalysts. Leaders responsible for ministry programing and production will no doubt love Andy's discussion of the three essential ingredients for creating irresistible environments. For pastors willing to tackle the challenge of transitioning a local congregation, Andy includes a section entitled: Becoming Deep and Wide. If your team is more concerned with who you are reaching than who you are keeping, Deep and Wide will be more than a book you read; it will be a resource you come back to over and over! 'Couldn't be prouder of my son, Andy. And I couldn't be more excited about the content of this book. I wish a resource like this existed when I was starting out in ministry.' - Dr. Charles Stanley, Founder, In Touch Ministries 'Deep and Wide pulls back the curtain for all of us to see what is required behind the scenes to build a prevailing church. I was both challenged and inspired by this book.' - Bill Hybels, author of Just Walk Across the Room 'The most common question I get from pastors is, 'How do I get the people in my church to be open to change?' From now on my answer will be, 'Read Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley'. Thanks Andy. Great book!' - Craig Groeschel, Pastor, LifeChurch.TV, author, It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It 'No one has given me more practical handles for establishing a focused vision than Andy Stanley. Deep and Wide is a rich resource to help all of us stay intentional about the main thing - building a church that reaches people who are far from God.' - Steven Furtick, Lead Pastor, Elevation Church

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andy Stanley is the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. (NPM). Each Sunday, more than 33,000 people attend one of NPM's seven Atlanta-area churches. In addition, NPM has planted over 25 churches outside the metro Atlanta area with a combined weekly attendance of more than 15,000. Over one million of Andy's messages are accessed from our North Point websites monthly, including both leadership and sermon content. To learn more and to access our free online resources, visit us at www.northpointministries.org. SPANISH BIO: Andy Stanley fundo North Point Ministries, Inc. (NPM) en 1995 con la vision de crear iglesias a las cuales les agradara asistir tambien a las personas que no se identifican con ninguna otra iglesia. Cada domingo, mas de 33.000 personas asisten a una de las siete iglesias que tiene North Point en la zona de Atlanta, Georgia. NPM tambien ha fundado tambien mas de 25 iglesias fuera de la zona metropolitana de Atlanta, con una asistencia semanal combinada de mas de 15.000 personas. Cada mes, mas de un millon de personas escuchan sus mensajes en los distintos portales de NPM en la web. Andy y su esposa Sandra viven en Alpharetta, Georgia, y tienen tres hijos: Andrew, Garrett y Allie. Puedes encontrar mas informacion y utilizar los recursos gratuitos que se ofrecen, entrando a su portal: www.northpointministries.org.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310494842
• ISBN-13: 978-0310494843
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (230 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Ministry

More About the Author

Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries (NPM). Since its inception in 1995, North Point Ministries has grown from one church to five in the Atlanta area and has developed a global network of more than 30 churches. Each Sunday, more than 33,000 people attend worship services at NPM's five Atlanta-area churches: Browns Bridge Community Church, Buckhead Church, Gwinnett Church, North Point Community Church, and Watermarke Church.

Andy's books include the recently released Deep & Wide, as well as Enemies of the Heart, The Grace of God, The Next Generation Leader, and How Good Is Good Enough? Andy and his wife, Sandra, live in Alpharetta, Georgia, and have three children.

For more information about Andy Stanley and North Point Ministries, visit www.northpointministries.org.

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#65 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#65 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Church at its core is about reaching people outside its walls for Christ. September 10, 2012

By Adam VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audible Audio Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If there is one thing that Andy Stanley is passionate about (and writes well about) it is the fact that most churches need to do everything they can to reach people that are not in church.

Deep And Wide is unapologetic about the fact that one of the most important ways that people become Christians is that they are invited to church by a friend or family member, and then they are confronted with God (usually over time, often over years) and are changed because of that confrontation. Deep and Wide is both Andy's story and the story of North Point.

If you want to hear about how Andy felt called to start a church (it really was the result of being pushed into it and problems with the church he was previously working at), or you want to find out why North Point is so focused on its children's ministries, or why Andy believes that one point sermons that are not primarily exegetical (but primarily are focused on an application) are the right way to preach, then you need to read this book.

This book is not for everyone. If you are at a church and you do not want to invite anyone to come to your church (I have been a member and the chair of the deacons at a church that I did not want anyone else to come to, so I know the feeling) then you may not want to read this book. On the other hand, if you really believe that the church should exist in order to point people to Christ, then this book is for you.

I do not think the book is perfect. I really wish Andy had re-written the section about church history. He does what most evangelicals do and points to the early church, mentions Constantine and then skips to the Reformation and again skips to modern US. I think skipping over church history like that damages modern Evangelical's understanding of what church is and the importance of church history and the relationship of the church to the church Universal throughout history. But given that mis-step, I fully support the theology that comes out of the chapter that says that the church is primarily about those that are outside of the church.

If you are a lay person and do not really influence policy at your church you might think that this book is not for you. I think you are wrong. The average lay person is the one that actually moves the church. Church staff are nice, they are the ones that influence budget, get to do all the behind the scenes work at church and get paid to think about the church, but it is the average lay person that actually knows people that do not go to church.

The problem with thinking that it should be the church staff that are responsible for evangelism is that church staff often do not know anyone that is unchurched. At one point in time I worked for a denomination, attended seminary, worked as an intern at my local church and lead a small group at the church. Do you know how many people in a normal day that I had a real relationship with that were not Christians? Zero. And that still is my problem.

It is the people that work in the secular world, who are parents of children that go to public school, who are on the Rotary Board and belong to a softball league that win people for Christ. They may not preach or be comfortable sharing their faith, but many they can invite their friends to church. And those friends often will come and over time those friends will come to know Christ and be baptized and lead families to know Christ. The problem is when people that are uncomfortable sharing their faith attend churches that they would not invite their worst enemy. That is the place where most Christians in the US are at. They are not comfortable directly sharing their faith and they are ashamed of the church that they go to because if they were not a Christian already, they would not go there.

Deep and Wide does cast a wide net. It steps back to give a history for North Point, it spends time on the how to keep unchurched the focus and there are two sections that are primarily for church leaders (how to preach to unchurched and how to lead a church through a change in focus). But all of those parts are important if a church is serious about focusing on the unchurched.

In the end this book is about a vision. It is a vision I believe in and a vision that this book has encouraged me to strive after living out. Church is often a pain in the neck. It is usually made up of a bunch of people not like you. It takes time and effort to serve and attend. But that is the group of people that Christ said were to be the group that reaches the world for him. I do not care if you believe in a church model like North Point. All that I want for you is to be in a church that is reaching people for Christ. This book makes me want to do that more.
_____

A digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley for purposes of review.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Could Help Your Church Populate Heaven September 26, 2012

By TrueNorth

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was surprised when an advanced copy of Andy Stanley's new book showed up at my office. I opened it right away and began reading! Deep & Wide is a refreshingly honest and open explanation of Stanley's (and North Point Community Church's) approach to reaching people who would not identify themselves as Christians and then helping them grow in their faith. It's a thought provoking work that is sure to give any Christian leader ideas to chew on - especially if you're leading a church that is seeing little conversion growth. If you are trying to build a church that is effective at reaching unchurched people, this is a wonderful vision-casting book. I found it compelling, inspiring, and easy to read. Any volunteer could understand its message and every pastor will find a gold mine of ideas that could breathe life into their leadership and ministry.

Those who tend to disagree and disapprove of Stanley's approach will, no doubt, pick apart the ideas presented with simple sound bites removed from their context. Perhaps they do this to intimidate those who have yet to read the book in an effort to keep them from reading it and to justify their own lack of effectiveness of leading people into a relationship with Christ. I've found that when I disagree with someone the best thing to do is to take my thumb and first two fingers and then stroke them over my chin while saying "Humm." I've found that I learn more that way than just rejecting what challenges my opinions and approaches.

The ideas and principles Stanley presents have the potential to sharpen your own approach to reaching people far from God ... and deepen people who are already walking with God. Especially helpful was his explanation of their approach to discipleship (pp. 101-149). As someone who was once a "discipleship pastor" in a church with 3,500 attendees, I must say that I wish I had heard this approach years ago. I was always frustrated that we saw little true growth and transformation in the lives of our people. At the end of the day I felt as if we were just communicating information that helped them know more but did little to help change them. Ugh!

The section on cultivating a culture where truth and grace permeate every part of a church was eye-opening, challenging, uncomfortable and ... strangely helpful. It still has me thinking and processing. It is frustrating when I read something that I don't agree with but can't figure out why. When I pinpointed my disagreement, I didn't like what I found about myself. I have some work to do.

The section where Stanley describes (in great detail) their approach to creating irresistible environments (and Sunday services) is worth the price of the book. I've watched North Point's services online before and have always enjoyed them. Instinctively I knew they were different than our church's but couldn't put my finger on it. The chapter on "Rules of Engagement" was crystal clear and very compelling! It makes perfect sense. Also, as a pastor myself, the content on his approach to preaching was very helpful. Every week the crowds that gather at our churches have different kinds of people in them. I've always struggled to bridge the gap between the groups (Christian and non-Christian) and make the message helpful and convicting to both crowds. I have some work to do on this one.

The book is filled with helpful and challenging ideas. What may prove to be most helpful was the last section of the book where Andy walks the reader through some thoughts about how the ideas and principles in the book might be adapted/implemented by any church.

If you are a volunteer in your church and you believe in evangelism and want to see your church growing and being filled with new believers and growing believers, get this book and read it. Then get an extra copy and give it to your pastor.

If you are a pastor, elder, or other church staff member you can't afford to miss what Stanley has to say. You may not agree with everything you read, but there is plenty here to help sharpen your focus and increase your effectiveness at every level of your church. And you'll find a wealth of material that will help you cast vision to your church. It may even help your church populate Heaven.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on church ministry September 27, 2012

By Joshua Reich

Format:Kindle Edition

When I finished reading Andy Stanley's latest book Deep & Wide, my first thought was, "This might be one of the best books I've ever read on church ministry or leadership." It is chock full of wisdom, things churches can learn and ways staff's can grow together to be effective.

Essentially, this book is everything Andy Stanley has learned in ministry since starting out. Things North Point has done that has worked and things that have not worked.

Here are just a handful of highlights from my reading:

-I think every church should be a church irreligious people love to attend.
-We are unapologetically attractional. In our search for common ground with unchurched people, we've discovered that, like us, they are consumers. So we leverage their consumer instincts.
-It wasn't the teaching of Jesus that sent his followers to the streets. It was his resurrection. The men and women who made up the nucleus of the church weren't simply believers in an abstract philosophy or even faithful followers of a great leader; they were eyewitnesses of an event.
-An ekklesia was simply a gathering or an assembly of people called out for a specific purpose. Ekklesia never referred to a specific place, only a specific gathering.
-Churches designed for saved people are full of hypocrites. You pretty much have to be a hypocrite to participate. Transparency and honesty are dangerous in a church created for church people. Consequently, the casualty in a church for church people is grace. It's hard to extend grace to people who don't seem to need it. And it's hard to admit you need it when you aren't sure you will receive it.
-Jesus did not come to strike a balance between grace and truth. He brought the full measure of both.
-Grace doesn't dumb down sin to make it more palatable. Grace doesn't have to.
-The better approach is to do for one what you wish you could do for everyone, knowing that everyone is not going to be treated the same way.
-The church is most appealing when the message of grace is most apparent.
-God's grace is only as visible as God's truth is clear.
-Missional is not the opposite of attractional. Stop trying to pick a side.
-If you want to know what people mean by what they say, watch what they do.
-Churches shouldn't do anything that makes it unnecessarily difficult for people who are turning to God.
-There's a monumental difference in believing in God and believing God.
-Classes don't create mature believers. Classes create smart believers.
-Every leader should have a group they can point to and say, "That's who I'm pouring my life into."
-People are far more interested in what works than what's true.
-Every ministry communicates something.
-The sermon begins in the parking lot.
-Being organized is not enough. You must appear organized.
-It is not enough for your kids ministry to be safe, it must appear safe.
-To seek and save the lost, first, you must capture their attention.
-When people are convinced you want something for them rather than something from them, they are less likely to be offended when you challenge them.

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